Only one open-top bus company will continue to run in Oxford following a takeover deal.

Guide Friday City Sightseeing Oxford (GFCSO) has bought out Full Circle Tours for an undisclosed sum, leaving it as the sole operator for trips around the city.

The move has prompted GFCSO, operated by Didcot-based Tappins Coaches, to invest £175,000 in a new tour bus which will conform to the latest green standards in engine and emissions technology.

Bosses have also pledged to cut the number of sales staff approaching tourists and passers-by, and to have fewer buses outside Trinity College in Broad Street.

GFCSO managing director Paul Tappin said diminishing numbers of people were using open-top tour buses and the market had been "stagnant" in the past two years since Full Circle started in the city.

Full Circle Tours started operating in Oxford less than two years ago and employed three full-time staff and up to 25 temporary workers.

Director Paul Wallace said: "We transported about 60,000 people in that time and are proud of that. But at the end of the day there were not enough customers and the operating situation was difficult."

Guide Friday said it would invest in its fleet in a bid to cash in on an anticipated rise in tourist numbers.

Mr Tappin added: "We are looking to replace all the fleet by this time next year. There are 11 vehicles in the fleet, four of them operating to the Euro 3 environmental standard."

Last year, about 20 sales staff -- mainly students -- worked for GFCSO, but eight jobs will be shed this season.